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Written by Jason Behenna

May 31, 2011

As the 2010-11 academic year draws to a close, one tends to look back and recall the moments that have captured people’s attention and brought good feelings throughout the group. It’s no exception within the athletics department, as the events of the year ended with the final pitch of Seattle U’s victory over Saint Mary’s in Moraga, Calif., Sunday, May 22.

Most people around campus will probably point to Feb. 22, 2011, when 11,386 people filled KeyArena for the renewal of the crosstown rivalry between Seattle U and Washington in men’s basketball. While that was a great night, signaling another major step in the school’s return to Division I, was that truly the most memorable moment of 2010-11?

How about the athletics department referring to 2010-11 as “The Year of the Woman," beginning with the dedication of the Nancy Gerou Women’s Basketball Locker Room? The women’s soccer and volleyball teams kept up the momentum for the females, posting winning records in fall 2010. The women’s basketball team hosted eventual national finalist Notre Dame, Elite Eight school Gonzaga, and Loyola Marymount at KeyArena right after Christmas. The year-long celebration concluded with the Tribute Dinner honoring Seattle U legends Janet Hopps Adkisson and Pat Lesser Harbottle.

Don’t forget about the men of the athletics department, starting with the men’s soccer team bringing Michigan, Gonzaga, and Portland to Championship Field. The men’s basketball team defeated Oregon State for the second straight year, and followed that with a road victory at ACC school Virginia. The baseball team doubled its win total from the previous season, including a victory at nationally-ranked Oregon State as well as two wins over the Washington Huskies, the first Seattle U team to defeat that school across the lake since the start of the reclassification process.

We were thrilled to hear the news about Sean Morris being drafted by the local professional soccer squad, Seattle Sounders FC, as well as Breanna Salley earning an invitation to the Seattle Storm’s preseason camp. We retired the #32 of men’s basketball alum Tom Workman and inducted 14 individuals as well as two teams into the Seattle U Athletics Hall of Fame.

Finally, while the men’s and women’s soccer teams will once again be eligible for NCAA postseason play in fall 2011, the end of this year means that there is just one more go-around in this reclassification process. Every other Seattle U team sees the light at the end of the tunnel, full Division I status in 2012-13. Meanwhile, there is still work to do in 2011-12, starting in August when women’s soccer and volleyball report for preseason workouts. Until then, enjoy the summer, and GO SEATTLE U!